2024 Summer Research Cohort Takes On Conferencing!

From Left to Right: Ken Flores ’26, Jacqueline Shaw ’25, and Alexia Lye ’25 at the AAR Western Regional Conference at Arizona State University, March 2025. 

By Jacqueline Shaw

In addition to its annual national conference, the American Academy of Religion (AAR) also hosts regional conferences. All four members of the Religion Department’s Summer Research cohort (Alexia Lye ’25, Daniela Munoz-Martinez ’25, Ken Flores ’26, and Jacqueline Shaw ’25) had their research accepted for the Western Region’s (AAR-WR) annual conference. Alexia’s research discusses Abalone and its importance to the Chumash people. Daniela’s research explores how the Bible was used for and against slavery. Ken’s work explores the rituals of the Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America. Jacqueline’s research examines different interpretations of jihad in medieval Islam.

Over spring break, Alexia, Ken, and Jacqueline traveled to Arizona (unfortunately, Daniela was unable to attend in person) to present their work.

“The opportunity to share my research at this year’s AAR-WR conference was truly one for the books!” Alexia says. “The ‘Indigenous Religions: Religion as Art and Ecospirituality’ panel was such an electric space that sparked passionate conversation and shared joy amongst presenters and audience members alike.”

“I was pretty nervous about AAR-WR,” Jacqueline says. “This was my first time presenting at a conference and everyone else in the panel had a PhD and specialized in Islamic Studies.” She adds, “Islamic Studies isn’t my area of focus at all so I felt really out of place but the other presenters were very supportive and encouraging!”

Ken expresses a similar sentiment: “The other panelists were really nice and supportive! They gave really good feedback on my presentation afterwards, and my unit chairs were very good at supporting us and keeping us updated as plans changed.”

“I was also honored to be awarded first place in the student paper competition,” they add. 

In addition to presenting, the three students were also excited to have the opportunity to connect with and learn from other academics in religious studies.

Ken attended the “Queer Studies in Religion” panel and commented on their experience: “It was really cool! [The panel] was a roundtable discussion on the state of queer rights in America and how religious rhetoric has been co-opted to justify discriminatory policies.” 

They add, “It was really nice to be speaking with other religious studies nerds where we could talk about theological differences among and within faiths in a scholarly setting. I met some really cool people!”

Alexia also states, “I connected with so many fellow scholars over the course of this conference and am thrilled to see what we can all build through our collaboration.” She continues, “The work being done by today’s young people inspires me endlessly.”

“AAR-WR was a great learning experience for me,” says Jacqueline. “This was a relatively small conference with only one hundred or so participants, so, despite my initial anxiety, I never felt overwhelmed or lost.” 

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to have attended a regional conference like AAR-WR before I have to present at an international conference this summer,” Jacqueline adds. “It was good practice in creating and giving presentations in an unfamiliar environment.”

Alexia, Ken, and Jacqueline are especially grateful to the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Religion Department for their consistent support of their research endeavours as mentors and in funding a significant portion of the trip.